Search for missing man at Moraine resumes

He is believed to have drowned

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A Butler County man known well by staff at Moraine State Park because of his frequent and regular visits to the park's Lake Arthur is believed to have drowned there, the park manager said this morning.

"It's looking like this will be a recovery effort," Dan Bickel said.

The missing man is Brian Cornetti, 54, of Prospect. "We know him well. He lives on the border of the park and he hunts raccoons by boat with his hunting dogs," Mr. Bickel said.

Mr. Cornetti was reported missing Saturday morning after his boat was spotted drifting in Lake Arthur. An extensive shoreline and water search was held throughout the day, ending at nightfall. That search resumed at daybreak. He was last seen Saturday night.

Mr. Bickel said a preliminary investigation indicates that Mr. Cornetti was preparing to board his boat when it got away from him. Some of his belongings were in the dock area and his truck was parked nearby.

"It appears he may have gone after his boat. Maybe you can do that in the summer when the water (is warmer) but the temperature now is 54 degrees. It doesn't take long for a body to start to stiffen up or for a cramp to develop," Mr. Bickel explained. Mr. Cornetti's life jacket was in the boat.

A drowning occurred at the park in August, the first fatality of the year, Mr. Bickel said.